Australia Announces Shortlist for Navy UAV
Contract
The Australian Government is boosting the Royal
Australian Navy’s intelligence capability through Defence’s Maritime Unmanned
Aircraft System Continuous Development Program.
The Program has reached a new milestone following the selection of five
respondents to progress to the next phase of the procurement process.
The Acting Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne today
announced that BAE Systems Australia, Insitu Pacific, Northrop Grumman
Australia, Raytheon Australia, and Textron Systems Australia had been shortlisted
for Block One of SEA 129 Phase 5.
“This Program will acquire maritime unmanned
intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting aircraft systems which
will complement current sensors and systems on Navy’s ships, while boosting a
ship’s area of surveillance,” Minister Payne said.
“Today’s milestone is a result of the Morrison
Government’s unprecedented $270 billion investment in defence capability over
the next decade, which is equipping the Australian Defence Force with
world-class, cutting edge capability.”
Block One of the program is the first phase of a 30-year continuous
development program, with five-year rolling block upgrades, which will
incorporate new technology upgrades.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the project was delivering
on the Morrison Government’s commitment to maximise Australia’s defence
industry involvement in the acquisition, operation and sustainment of defence
capability.
“By incorporating new technology through block
upgrades every five years, the program supports the development of Australia’s
Unmanned Aircraft System industry, and provides the Navy with a leading edge
maritime surveillance capability,” Minister Price said.
“This process will allow Australian businesses to
be directly involved in providing greater situational awareness for the Fleet,
in particular the new Arafura Offshore Patrol Vessels, while strengthening
long-term job growth and security.”
Future opportunities will be available in forthcoming Blocks of SEA 129
Phase 5 from 2024.
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